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Poster:	staggerleib	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 8:37am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

You make an excellent point regarding the Wake->Blues. I love Mars Hotel, but you're right, it was sort of a departure on the road. I never really thought of that. Meanwhile, my youngest daughter (11) is going to be so happy. We just got her tickets to see Miley Cyrus... Never thought that you'd see that name in this list, did you? By the time of Terrapin Station, as musicians, the guys had achieved a level of precision, and competency, wherein practically anything that they could envision intellectually and creatively, they could replicate in reality. There was a quantum shift in musical styles. While I love the Primal Dead sound of the late 60's, this level of musicianship, and artistry consistently leaves me more satisfied.
This post was modified by staggerleib on 2009-06-08 15:37:02

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Poster:	William Tell	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 8:43am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

For my money, 70 rules...songwriting, performance (esp singing!!!) and all the rest (collaborators?!) make Beauty and Work the absolute TOP. I can see an argument for Wake, but songwriting overall, and breadth and depth just don't surpass the two for 70, IMHO.

I have always been a huge champ of studio material.

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Poster:	fireeagle	Date:	Jun 9, 2009 1:21am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

was already a big dead fan when i first heard beauty in 1970. the 1st thought after listening was: wtf, the dead sold out? a bunch of nice country songs wasnt exactly what i expected from the grateful dead. so i stopped listening to dead and kept on rocking in the purple/zep realm. funny thing, i havnt changed my opinion about beauty yet, although i listened to it again few times since 1970 (my lp is still as new). on the other hand, those songs played live r something else and the cover art is magnificent

wake of the flood turned me on to dead again. the spacey perfectionism of the studio work was an excellent foundation for later live variations. every single song on the album is like an awesomely crafted gem

blues for allah is my other fav dead album; virtuoso playing of the highest order and a heavy metaphysical, surreal vibe - a real masterpiece

terrapin station..... loved it in 77, but now i think that everything from this album sounds much better live, esp the title track

my 0.02 $


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Poster:	grendelschoice	Date:	Jun 9, 2009 3:15am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Totally agree on WAKE.

Still my all time favorite Dead studio release album. A lot of the songs on that one are also among my all time faves to hear live (ROW, EYES, STELLA, LET IT GROW, HCS)...just an amazing album.

props also to BLUES FOR ALLAH, MARS HOTEL, and AMERICAN BEAUTY and WORKINGMAN's.

Boo-hisses to Shakedown, Go to heaven, Terrapin...great songs, but horribly produced.

and absolute thumbs down to Built to Last...a complete and utter embarrassment.

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Poster:	spacedface	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 9:48am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

1970 was a good year, but I also like Blues for Allah best. The only weakness was the performance of The Music Never Stopped. The style didn't fit and it was often much better live.

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Poster:	staggerleib	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 10:33am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

See, I love TMNS. I think that the jazz fits nicely, and creates a beautiful transition.

How about that One from the Vault release? God, I love that!

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Poster:	Styrofoam Cueball	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 11:00am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

I love One From the Vault. My first tape was a high-generation version of that show, so I was very pleased they released it officially. Probably the best live versions of most of the Blues For Allah material... and they even do the whole Side 2 Suite (beautifully)!

"Under Eternity
Under Eternity
Under Eternity
Blue..." :)

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Poster:	spacedface	Date:	Jun 11, 2009 8:25am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

I almost always pick Blues for Allah itself -- my fav GD records along with 'Garcia' -- and then sometimes Kezar 3-23?-75. I lost track of Vault One after a fire, but I should track that date down again.

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Poster:	Styrofoam Cueball	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 9:48am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

I know I've said this before, but can any live version of "The Wheel" compare with the "Garcia" studio version? The live ones are ok (and always welcome), but the pedal steel playing on the album.... woo.

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Poster:	barongsong	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 12:55pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Ok I guess I'm going to be the square peg in this one because there are a couple of Wheels that I like better than the Garcia album. Not many mind you but a few around 76 do more for me and this http://www.archive.org/details/gd81-08-28.sbd-patched.painoman.9572.sbeok.shnf version is possibly the peak of GD creativity on the song.
Sorry I know this is about great studio recordings, and it is one, but for me it's not the peak of potential this song reached, but very close and on vinyl and that is a bonus for sure.

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Poster:	grendelschoice	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 2:36pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Speaking of Jerry studio releases, how underrated and truly amazing is his 1973 release COMPLIMENTS?

Yeah, it's essentially a cover tunes album, but most JGB concerts were 50-60% covers as well. Whenever I groove to his incredibly sweet vocals and fluid playing on tunes like HE AINT GIVE YOU NONE and THAT'S WHAT LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO, it reminds me just how full-circle was his talent...we all know he could jam like no one's business, but that album also shows how masterful and controlled he could be in producing slick, catchy studio stuff as well.

Back up vocalists on that one are a major plus, too.

It's my favorite Jerry release, with the debut album just a hair behind, followed by REFLECTIONS to round out the top 3.

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Poster:	staggerleib	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 6:01pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Well, as for studio Jerry releases, I have to put my hat into the Cats Under the Stars release.

How rockin is that Rhapsody in Red?
How beautiful is that Reuben and Cherise?

A great release, and incidentally the only Jerry album released from the studio as a JGB album.

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Poster:	grendelschoice	Date:	Jun 9, 2009 3:12am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

CATS comes in a whisker (sorry) behind REFLECTIONS on my list...Do love that REUBEN, and also really dig LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON on that release...not a song that gets much "love" (sorry again), but deserves it...great reggae groove and very sweet backing vocals.

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Poster:	grendelschoice	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 4:20pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Really different/interesting Wheel! (8/28/81)

Don;t think I;ve ever heard quite such an extensive jam post-lyrics...usually they;re just done in about 5 but they really open up some interesting stuff in this one.

Another fine '81 WHEEL is here:

http://www.archive.org/details/gd81-05-01.wise.clugston.2218.sbeok.shnf

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Poster:	barongsong	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 8:38pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Oh cool, Not sure I've listened to it, but if it's anything like 8-28 it'll be well worth it for sure.

Also someone mentioned Cats DUtS before which is my personal favorite but I'm not sure I've listened to all the Jerry releases so don't know definitively if it's the best. Whatever definitive is anyway.

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Poster:	staggerleib	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 10:52am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

I agree. That Wheel is the definitive version. While many JG solo works are fantastic live, this one studio cut is the ultimate version.

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Poster:	William Tell	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 11:22am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Yep; love Jerry's first album.

Can I count that as "71"?

Please?

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Poster:	Styrofoam Cueball	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 11:42am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

Yeah! After all, they play "Sugaree," "Deal," and "Loser" at our beloved Harding Theatre show on 11/7/71... all from that album. :)

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Poster:	staggerleib	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 11:23am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

You may, Sir Tell.

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Poster:	William Tell	Date:	Jun 8, 2009 3:31pm
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: In Praise of Studio Releases

SL & SCB: you guys are too nice...